Former UH star begins play today in 6-round event

Published 6:30 am, Wednesday, November 28, 2007

The Humble resident's focus this week is gaining his PGA Tour card. Zorkic is at Orange County National in Winter Garden, Fla., for the final stage of PGA Tour Qualifying. It's a six-round grind.

"This is the week," said Zorkic, a two-time All-American at the University of Houston who has played regularly on the Nationwide Tour since 2000.

Asked how many times he has gone through qualifying stages, Zorkic said, "I've lost track."

But Zorkic, 41, knew it was his third time to reach the final stage, which starts today and runs through Monday on two courses — Panther Lakes and Crooked Cat.

"I feel the game is there," said Zorkic, who said the strongest parts of his game are his iron play and chipping. "But Q-school is a different animal. You play four rounds, then you still got two more.

"You have to play smart, but when you get a green light, you have to go for it. Every shot is important.

"You have to keep it going for a long period of time. You have to have the right energy level, the right attitude and bring the good stuff."

As shown by his 12-under 59 in Payne, Ala., Zorkic has game.

He won a Nationwide event in 2002 in Raleigh, N.C. But putting it together for six rounds against high competition is the challenge.

He's also been battling a sore left hip and this year missed three months with a hand injury.

Zorkic understands the importance of Q-school.

"You have the four majors, and the Players Championship is like the fifth major," Zorkic said. "Q-school is the sixth major."